Gunn, who was 45, was found dead on the morning of February 20th after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Gunn worked at Curtis Brown as a literary agent for a number of years before leaving to set up her own company, Gunn Media. Jonathan Lloyd, chairman of Curtis Brown, told The Bookseller: “It’s the most terrible shock. The world is slightly less fun today.” Curtis Brown joint c.e.o. Jonny Geller added: “My colleagues are devastated because she was such a life force. She always had a glass of wine and a smile. She was full of colour and devoted to her authors. The idea that this has happened so suddenly is really shocking.”

Camilla Ferrier of The Marsh Agency echoed his words, calling Gunn "such an incredible life force." She said: "We sold her foreign rights for many years, she was a very exciting person to be around. We are absolutely stunned."

Tributes have been pouring in on social media. Among Gunn’s authors was Jenny Colgan, who tweeted about her “darling friend and fabulous agent”. She said: “Of course we're all in bits. thank you for all thoughts.” Novelist Ben Hatch tweeted: “Very shocked and sad to hear of the death of literary agent, Ali Gunn. She was always always fun to be around and sometimes scarily honest.”

Gunn had done some consultancy work for the Conservative Party. Its chairman, Grant Shapps, said: "Ali was very much a people person. Friendly and always full of life. She will be hugely missed. Our thoughts are with her family, and her very many friends."